Mid-Atlantic - Things to do in New York State

Hi all

Not quite sure where to post this but given we're going to book with BA miles, I thought here's as good a place as any!!!

My wife and I are planning on visiting friends in NYC for a few days in June and are taking our 11 month (at that time) daughter with us. We'd like a few days relaxing somewhere too but don't really want to have to take any additional internal flights.

So, what are our options (say) within a two-three hour drive of NYC that's child frendly with nice hotels?

Thanks

Dan

Cape May? Drive down through New Jersey, maybe stop at Atlantic City for a couple of nights on the way.

Cheers,
Rick

North East along the coast towards New Haven, Mystic, Newport all within about 3 hours. Push to 4 hours and you're in Cape Cod which in June should be fantastic "shoulder" weather and great beaches. Head for Dennis or Chatham in the middle. It's a very straightforward run straight up I95

North towards the Litchfield Hills or the Berkshires

West into Pennsylvania, about 3 hours and you're in the heart of Armish country around Lancaster. 4 hours to Gettysburg which is a great little area to explore

We'll give this a short run here before moving to the relevant Travel forum.

Swanhunter
Moderator, BAEC

The Hamptons or Fire Island. But you have to book from now.

The Hamptons or Fire Island. But you have to book from now.

I adore Fire Island. A week spent there last year in a house with friends was the most relaxing, social, revitalizing vacation I've had in years.

But I would not have said it meets any of the OP's criteria. I can't recall seeing a single child, nor does it have good hotels - notoriously FIPPOA makes it hard to open one and those that exist are poor (although I think there may be one decent newish one) - and the only way to do Fire Island properly is to share a house. You also can't drive there - which is one of its joys.

Perhaps there is a different part of Fire Island to which you're referring. But if you just type it into Google - or Google images - it's pretty clear that to most people "Fire Island" means the part I know.

I adore Fire Island. A week spent there last year in a house with friends was the most relaxing, social, revitalizing vacation I've had in years.

But I would not have said it meets any of the OP's criteria. I can't recall seeing a single child, nor does it have good hotels - everyone stays in houses. You also can't drive there - which is one of its joys.

Perhaps there is a different part of Fire Island to which you're referring. But if you just type it into Google - or Google images - it's pretty clear that to most people "Fire Island" means the part I know.

Love FI and the fact that it is only accessible by boat. It is primarily privately owned, but they can still find rentals, that is why I said to book from now. And an 11 month old child isn't capable of doing much without his/her parent, anyway. I am sure the parents can find lots of babysitters available. Off the top of my head I can think of 2 who'd like the extra money babysitting, while the parents are kayaking somewhere.:D

Lake Placid... Upstate and a beautiful drive. Spend a few days there and drive up to Montreal. Back through Vermont and you will have a great time. Hamptons are nice but nothing special, unless you rent a house and know the people who 'summer' there so you can at least get into the restaurants and clubs... :)

Lake Placid... Upstate and a beautiful drive. Spend a few days there and drive up to Montreal. Back through Vermont and you will have a great time. Hamptons are nice but nothing special, unless you rent a house and know the people who 'summer' there so you can at least get into the restaurants and clubs... :)


HB it is obvious that you don't have kids... such a long drive with a child and for a short time... I personally wouldn't do it.

HB it is obvious that you don't have kids... such a long drive with a child and for a short time... I personally wouldn't do it.

Thanks for all the advice. I think one stop will be more than enough with the baby!!!

HB it is obvious that you don't have kids... such a long drive with a child and for a short time... I personally wouldn't do it.

What? You can't simply stuff them in the boot/trunk?

:D

What? You can't simply stuff them in the boot/trunk?

:D

Tried that, didn't work. Even tried having them lost with a few snow showers and messed up airports.... BUT NOOOOOOOO BA delivered them back to my door...

If you're interested in photography, George Eastman House in Rochester is worth a visit.

We'll give this a short run here before moving to the relevant Travel forum.

Swanhunter
Moderator, BAEC

That's a good idea as I've always had more replies to this sort of OT question on the BA board. I'm also intersted as we may do a trip that way next year but sans baby:).

I also enjoy Fire Island (there are multiple sections, including family oriented), but it may be a bit much with an 11 month old with trains/shuttles/boats. As for other nice areas in NYC metro:
1) Greenport, NY on the North Fork. Beautiful, nice wineries. You can stay at the retro Greenporter hotel and get great cuisine in town. You can also take a car ferry from Orient Point to New London, Connecticut and drive back down to NYC after tooling around Connecticut/ West Chester. Do lunch in Old Greenwich, CT which is charming or go to Foxwoods or Mohean Sun casinos.
2) Monatauk, further out on Long Island is also a beauitful Long Island beach town, with lots to do.
3) NY Finger Lakes region http://www.fingerlakes.org/ for wineries/relaxation/museums/shopping
4) If you wife likes to shop, Woodbury Commons is a famous premium outlets (Dior, Gucci, Prada, etc) http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=7
5) Boston is only a 3-4 hour drive (if you go off-peak)

Enjoy your trip!

Make sure you don't go to Albany. I had to go there twice to get admitted to the New York Bar and let's just say it's not the most inspiring of cities :)

I also enjoy Fire Island (there are multiple sections, including family oriented), but it may be a bit much with an 11 month old with trains/shuttles/boats. As for other nice areas in NYC metro:
1) Greenport, NY on the North Fork. Beautiful, nice wineries. You can stay at the retro Greenporter hotel and get great cuisine in town. You can also take a car ferry from Orient Point to New London, Connecticut and drive back down to NYC after tooling around Connecticut/ West Chester. Do lunch in Old Greenwich, CT which is charming or go to Foxwoods or Mohean Sun casinos.
2) Monatauk, further out on Long Island is also a beauitful Long Island beach town, with lots to do.
3) NY Finger Lakes region http://www.fingerlakes.org/ for wineries/relaxation/museums/shopping
4) If you wife likes to shop, Woodbury Commons is a famous premium outlets (Dior, Gucci, Prada, etc) http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=7
5) Boston is only a 3-4 hour drive (if you go off-peak)

Enjoy your trip!

Surprised you didn't also mention Shelter Island. It's a 5 minute ferry ride from Greenport harbor. There are two child friendly hotels on the island.

I would avoid taking the ferry to New London, Connecticut and driving back to the city. The stretch of I-95 thru Connecticut is about as much fun to drive as the M25 at rush hour. Some of the roads on Long Island aren't much better but at least you have options. You can also take a train from Manhattan to Greenport if you don't want to drive.

...and as promised, over to the Mid-Atlantic forum.

Swanhunter
Moderator, BAEC

Since other people have recommended locations outside of New York State, it would be silly to ignore the obvious destination: let see...2-3 hours from NYC, child-friendly destination....well why not Philadelphia? Great city to bring the kiddies! Plus the Sesame Place theme park is on the way down from New York if you need a super kid friendly destination! :)

OP, beware of distances. A lot of suggestions in this thread are considerably further than 2-3 hours drive (i.e., Rochester, Finger Lakes, Montreal / Vermont), if that is a hard limit for you.

If you must stay within 2-3 hours, Philadelphia is great if you want to see another city, and a lot of popular attractions are kid friendly. But I would recommend taking the train - only a bit over an hour - much faster than driving given the traffic in that part of the country. However, if you drive, you can swing by Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA on the way; very popular with kids.

If you want the countryside or something a bit sleepier, try Bucks County, PA (which is also where Sesame Place is) or the Hudson Valley. That time of year, beware of traffic to the beach areas suggested (Cape Cod, Atlantic City, Fire Island / Montauk) if you will be going at the weekend.

All very good suggestions so far though! Just depends on exactly what you are looking for in terms of excitement and driving distance.

If you're interested in photography, George Eastman House in Rochester is worth a visit.

Just as far a drive as Lake Placid if that's an issue.

Make sure you don't go to Albany. I had to go there twice to get admitted to the New York Bar and let's just say it's not the most inspiring of cities :)

+1 :D

For an easy ride from NYC, I would suggest Mohonk Mountain House (http://www.mohonk.com/). June would be a lovely time in the Catskills. Put the baby in a baby carrier and there are quite a few trails you can walk.

Take the train to Boston or DC. DC would be my pick. lots to see and do all within walking distance of each other.

http://washington.org/about-washington-dc

Dan, let's start with your interests.

1. Mountains, city sightseeing or seashore?
2. Do you want to drive or would you prefer taking the train?
3. Amusement park?
4. History buff?

Sports fan? Try Cooperstown for baseball or Oneonta for soccer. Like caves? Cobleskill for Howe Caverns